Bethlen Naptár, 1982 (Ligonier)
Egyesült Államok - The United Presbyterian Church in the USA
1982 177 was Stephen Posster and Elders were: Louis S. Basty, Matthew H. Kaminski, Mrs. Mary Sennikoff, Frank Sypos and Joseph Tóth. The only change in the Session for 1981 is that Elder-Treasurer Stephen Posster, after being the treasurer for almost 40 years, and being over 70 years of age, after doing a very fine work, at our deep regret resigned from the treasurership, but has remained with the Session as an Elder. His successor is Elder William Tóth, who was elected by the unanimous vote of the congregation and does very well. Our Sunday School is very small, 5 children, 2 of them are the grandsons of the pastor. Marriages contracted 40-50 years ago had given away most of the children to another faith and they are not ours. Mrs. Mary Sennikoff, the pastor’s wife and daughter in-law were the teachers. The Organist of the congregation is the Pastor’s oldest son, Francis. This small congregation went through spectacular and sad changes changes since December 1, 1958 when the present pastor took the pastoral charge. At that time he found 87 adult, churchsupporting members. By now the number of those who passed away and moved away to other places is well over 100 souls. Thanks to the Lord, still we have 53 adult members, among whom many are exemplarly loyal Christians. Under these circumtances it was very difficult to keep this congregation alive in this area of almost 100% Roman Catholic population. We are alive, the Lord was with us and we kept the faith. The pastor is in the active ministry of the church for 50 and a half years. Of these years he has served 7 years as a parish priest and 43 as a minister of the Gospel. He served this congregation for 23 years and as he approaches his 79th birthday, feeling the weight of the years on his shoulders, with the end of 1981 he goes into full retirement. It happened that in mid- October the medical examination performed on him had shown very serious ailment and he has resigned from the ministry of the congregation effective on December 1st, 1981. — Since then the Presbytery appointed a new Moderator and a stated supply pastor. However, Rev. Wesselényi remains with the congregation and will continue the conducting of Hungarian worship services and will do the office work and contiues to live in the parsonage. The Session has unanimously voted to propose to the annual congregational meeting that he be elected “Pastor Emeritus.” He conducted the last divine service as pastor of the congregation on November 29th, when after the church service a surprise banquet was held in his honor at a very elegant restaurant, with the participation of almost all members and many friends and Chief Elder Stephen Paar handed over to him a purse with a very substantial amount, in reward of his long and faithful services through 23 years as the pastor. With the beautiful and warmhearted celebration his ministry of the church through 50 and a half year has come to a close. He gives thanks to God for the privilege of serving the Lord for such a long time. He stays with his beloved congregation. • • •
